nforg

To be honest I had never heard anything about how safe maxima's were, probably because I had never looked up much on it. Anyways last thursday I was coming home during rush hour in the rain and the light turned yellow and I knew I couldn't stop in time so I went on through. Except a guy turning left didn't think I would go so he went and bam, his car did a 180 and hit the car behind his and mine just took a nice hit to the front left. Both airbags deployed as they were supposed to and they were perfect. I am 5'5 so I don't sit in the backseat like a lot of people when they drive, but they didn't hurt, burn, or anything like all the bad stories I've heard. The worst part about them is they release like a chemical smoke in your car and it smells awful. Also all of the damage was compressed to one area of the car and did not spread to the side panels, or most importantly the interior of the car. The car also shutdown completly about 3-5 seconds after the airbags had deployed and to get power back to the car at the body shop I had to unplug then replug back in the battery.
The airbags really were like big pillows, the only flaw I noticed was today when I went to go clean it out for the last time I noticed there was a big crack on the passengar side of the windshield. This was either caused by a small fracture made by the airbag and then the cold weather expanded it, or someone hit the windshield perfectly so it only cracked the glass.

Unfortunality I learned today my car was a total loss, but I still amazed at how well it performed in the accident. The good news is that I won't be getting back a car that had been in an accident, and the value on the car was higher than I paid for it. Also if you live near aurora in illinois you maybe want to go scrap it for some parts. I am unaware of what junk yard it went to, but I know it was in Aurora and there are only 2 or 3 yards there. It was a 96 SE with every option, black on black leather, and WAS in near-mint condition.

The accident was equivalent to running into a wall at 45-50MPH. I was wearing my seat belt, and had no injuries of any kind, wasn't even dizzy. The car turning left on the other hand; one of the guys broke the steering wheel with his face and the other put his head through the windshield, oddly enough when I got out to see if they were ok they said they were fine and took off running, and never came back (I thought they were going to call police at the gas station). They caught them a couple days later. In conclusion safety was definatly a big factor in this car's design and I had not noticed it until I saw how my car performed in one. Just thought I'd share that, I'll try to get some pics from the police of my car since I didn't snap any.

-Nate
Had a 96se, looking for a 97-98se

kit99bar

My 97, max was totalled a few weeks ago too. Yes, I noticed though the rear and front were totally smashed (360 spin) the interior was okay. really held up strong. However, the airbags just popped out and didn't inflate at all. just fell out limp.
well, I'm continuing my search for that Supra or 300Z! =-)

Wizeguy

I'm glad to here that you guys are ok. So what cars are you looking at next?

Btw... Thanks for sharing your stories.

Nick Robinson

If you ever find where it went, tell me, as i could use 4 lether seats.

MaximaMan

I live in utah, but did u have n e mods done to your car? if so wanna sell, also i am looking for some LEATHER seats!!!! if u had/got em, i want them!

nforg

I will ask the total loss specialist tomorrow exactly what yard it went to, but the leather was in great condition. I cleaned and conditioned it twice a month, and the car had tinted windows so the sun's rays which kill leather did not do it's usual damage. I would say the front two seats the leather was in good condition, but in the back the seats were 100% perfect. There aren't any rips/tears anywhere, but the front two seats well the sun gets in through the windshield, and they look good, but just not as good as the back. The only mods I had were little things, sun roof deflector, mud guards, tints, k&n air filter. I was planning to purchase other mods after christmas, but I guess I'm kinda glad I didn't do them earlier. The car does have ultra high performace michilin pilot xgt v4 tires on them which cost me $630, with only 2k on them.

Nick Robinson

I wonder how much junk yards sell stuff for?

1997 Maxima SE

when they total your car they dont let you go get what you want off of it???? like if you had like a 4000 dallor system in your car wouldn't they let you take it out??? never had anyone had their car totaled around here so i wouldn;t know..

nforg

At the scene of the accident I took anything valuable out of it so it doesn't get stolen by the tow truck driver or the people at the body shop. Although I had accidently left a case of cds in the car, but luckily the body shop mine was taken to was honest and didn't take anything. Normally what happens is they steal everything that isn't bolted down. Anyways after I was told it was a total loss they said come and get personal items out of the car. Now my bose system added $150 to the value of the car, but it was my opinion that the two back bose speakers were my personal property along with the air filter, head/fog lights... So you are allowed to take whatever you want out of the car, although if I had decided to take the bose head unit then they probably would have said my car was worth $150 less than it was. They probably didn't want me to take the speakers either, but oh well.